In Your 70s and Beyond: Stay Engaged. Stay Strong. Stay You.
Aging is not a retreat. It is a shift in rhythm, a narrowing of priorities, and a time of clarity for many women. By your 70s, you have already lived through decades of change. Now, the question becomes: How do you live the years ahead with health, dignity, and meaning?
For women like you, health care is less about managing long to-do lists and more about creating a support system that centers your values. It is about staying engaged with your body, your relationships, and your purpose. At Ms.Medicine, we believe women deserve care that evolves with them, not care that leaves them behind.
This chapter may include slowing down, but it is not about decline. It is about creating space for joy, autonomy, and smart health decisions that let you live the life you want.
Keep Your Screenings and Preventive Care Simple and Focused
Many women in their 70s wonder if it is time to stop certain preventive screenings. The answer is personal and should be based on your health status, family history, and values, not a number on a calendar.
For example, women with a life expectancy of 10 or more years may still benefit from:
Mammograms every 1 to 2 years
Colonoscopies (especially if they have not yet had one or had abnormal results)
Bone density scans to track osteoporosis or fracture risk
Hearing and vision exams
Cognitive screening during annual wellness visits
According to Dr. Jana Baatenburg MD, co-founder of Concierge Medicine of West Michigan, “Women in their 70s often feel dismissed in traditional health care. But this is a time when you need personalized support the most. Especially for managing medications, bone health, and cognitive wellness.”
Vaccinations also remain essential. Keep up to date with flu shots, shingles vaccines, COVID boosters, and any recommendations tailored to your travel or chronic condition status.
Medication Reviews Are a Must
As women age, the way their body metabolizes medications changes. You may become more sensitive to dosages or more prone to side effects. What worked for you at 55 may not be ideal at 75.
Polypharmacy, being on five or more medications, is increasingly common in this decade and significantly raises the risk of adverse effects, falls, confusion, or interactions. That is why comprehensive medication reviews should be a routine part of your care.
Dr. Aaron Block, MD, a family medicine and women’s health physician at The Cove Concierge Medicine in Lafayette, Colorado, explains, “Many health issues in older adults come from medications that are no longer appropriate or interact poorly. In concierge care, we take time to assess every prescription, supplement, and over-the-counter remedy.”
Ask your provider to do a full medication review at least once a year and anytime something in your health changes.
Stay Mentally and Socially Engaged
Cognitive wellness is just as important as physical health. Mental sharpness, emotional clarity, and social connection are key predictors of aging well.
Engage in activities that challenge your brain, such as:
Learning a new skill or language
Volunteering or mentoring
Playing music or working on creative projects
Joining book clubs, walking groups, or faith communities
Journaling, memory-keeping, or storytelling
These habits strengthen mental acuity, boost mood, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Do not underestimate the power of purpose and community in supporting long-term health.
Plan for Safety and Aging in Place
Most women want to age in their own homes for as long as possible. Planning for this early ensures your independence stays intact, even if your mobility or needs change over time.
Some simple steps include:
Reviewing your home for fall hazards
Installing grab bars in bathrooms
Switching to slip-resistant flooring
Ensuring proper lighting and walkways
Discussing home care support if needed
Your concierge provider can be a central resource in coordinating these conversations. They can also help you plan things like advance directives, caregiver support, and end-of-life preferences with compassion and clarity.
Focus on What Brings You Peace
Finally, wellness in your 70s is not about doing more. It is about aligning your health with your values. What brings you joy? What helps you feel calm and whole?
Whether it is walking each morning, spending time with grandchildren, sitting in nature, or learning something new, these are not extra. They are essential.
This is also a time to give yourself permission to let go of things that no longer serve you. Rigid health routines, unrealistic body expectations, and social pressure to stay “young” can all be replaced with intentionality, gentleness, and wisdom.
Staying Strong and Supported with Ms.Medicine
No matter your age, you deserve health care that sees you fully. At Ms.Medicine, we partner with women at every life stage, including those navigating their 70s and beyond.
Our network of expert providers offers:
Longer visits with time to listen
Coordination of medications and specialists
Help with cognitive, bone, and cardiovascular health
Personalized aging-in-place support
A compassionate approach to complex or evolving needs
Download your free guide: Thrive in Your 70s and Beyond. This checklist will help you stay up to date on preventive screenings, annual exams, and questions to bring to your next visit.
Find a provider who sees you as more than your chart.
You are still growing. Still choosing. Still thriving. Let your care reflect that.
